Bristol Type 138
| Type 138 High Altitude Monoplane | |
|---|---|
| The Type 138A over Farnborough c. 1937 | |
| General information | |
| Type | High-altitude research aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Bristol Aeroplane Company |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | Royal Aircraft Establishment |
| Number built | 1 (+1 Type 138B airframe not completed) |
| History | |
| First flight | 11 May 1936 |
The Bristol Type 138 High Altitude Monoplane was a British high-altitude single-engine, low-wing monoplane research aircraft developed and produced by the Bristol Aeroplane Company during the 1930s. It set nine world altitude records, with the maximum altitude achieved being 53,937 ft (16,440 m) on 30 June 1937, during a 2¼-hour flight.
A second aircraft, designated as the Type 138B, was ordered in 1935 but work was abandoned during 1937 without it having flown.